Chrysanthemum plant named &#39;zanmudenali&#39;

ABSTRACT

A  chrysanthemum  plant named ‘Zanmudenali’ characterized by its large sized blooms with white ray florets and prolific branching, and a response time of 7.5 weeks.

BOTANICAL DESIGNATION

Chrysanthemum×morifolium Ramat.

CULTIVAR DENOMINATION

‘Zanmudenali’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of chrysanthemum plant, botanically known as Chrysanthemum×morifolium Ramat., and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar denomination ‘Zanmudenali’. ‘Zanmudenali’ is a product of a breeding and selection program for pot mums which had the objective of creating new cultivars with a anemone type inflorescence, a medium plant height and a response time of 7-8 weeks. ‘Zanmudenali’ is a seedling resulting from a cross of the female parent id 44258 and the male parent id 8967. Plants of the new cultivar ‘Zanmudenali’ differ from plants of the female parent in the following characteristics. (1) Inflorescence size. And (2) Vigor. (1) The inflorescences of the female parent are smaller than those of the seedling. (2) Plants of the female parent are less vigorous than those of the seedling. Plants of the new cultivar ‘Zanmudenali’ differ from plants of the male parent in plant vigor; the plants of the male parent are less vigorous.

The new and distinct cultivar was discovered and selected as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross by Wilhelmus Bernardus Blom in a controlled environment (greenhouse) in Rijsenhout, The Netherlands in April 2003. The first act of asexual production of ‘Zanmudenali’ was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in June 2003 and propagated further in a controlled environment in Rijsenhout, The Netherlands. The new cultivar has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive propagations, although the phenotype may somewhat vary with variations in environment such as light intensity and temperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention of a new and distinct variety of chrysanthemum is shown in the accompanying drawings, the color being as nearly true as possible with color photographs of this type.

FIG. 1 shows a plant of the cultivar in full bloom.

FIG. 2 shows the various stages of bloom of the new cultivar.

FIG. 3 shows the various stages of foliage of the new cultivar.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The observations and measurements were gathered in May 2010 from plants grown in a controlled environment (greenhouse) in Rijsenhout, The Netherlands, in a photo-periodic controlled crop under conditions generally used in commercial practice. Three cuttings were planted in a pot with a diameter of 12 cm. The greenhouse temperatures for this crop were at day-time 18.degree.C. to 25.degree. C., and at night about 20.degree. C. The photo-periodic response time in this crop was 7.5 weeks after an average of eight long days. After this long day period growth retardants (Alar) were applied six times in an average dose of 1. 5 gram/liter water until flowering. The plants were observed (directly) during the flowering of this crop. No tests were done on disease or insect resistance or susceptibility. No tests were done on cold or drought tolerance. To show the phenotype as described ‘Zanmudenali’ can be planted without assimilation lightning (high pressure sodium lamps) between week 50 and week 40 of the next year under greenhouse conditions in the Netherlands. With assimilation lightning (minimum level 2500 lux) it can be planted all year round under greenhouse conditions in the Netherlands. This new variety produces large sized blooms with white florets and a response time of 7.5 weeks.

From the cultivars known to inventor the most similar existing cultivar in comparison to ‘Zanmudenali’ is ‘Letitia Time Improved’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,359). When ‘Letitia Time Improved’ and ‘Zanmudenali’ are being compared the following difference is noticed: The difference of ‘Letitia Time Improved’ and ‘Zanmudenali’ are (1) Inflorescence type. And (2) Ray floret color. (1) The inflorescence type in ‘Letitia Time Improved’ is single, that of ‘Zanmudenali’ is anemone. (2) The ray-florets of ‘Letitia Time Improved’ are cream colored, while those of ‘Zanmudenali’ are white.

The following is a description of the plant and characteristics that distinguish ‘Zanmudenali’ as a new and distinct variety.

The color designations are taken from the plant itself. Accordingly, any discrepancies between the color designations and the colors depicted in the photographs are due to photographic tolerances. The color chart used in this description is: The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, edition 2001.

TABLE 1 Botanical Description of Chrysanthemum xmorifolium Ramat. ‘Zanmudenali’ Bud Size Medium; cross-section 7 mm, height 6 mm Shape Round Texture Smooth Outside Color Greyed-green 191A Phyllaries Number 26, arranged in 3 rows Shape Elliptic Apex Acute Base Truncate Margin Entire Color Upper surface Length and width  1-1.5 cm; 2 mm Texture Pubescent Inflorescence Type Anemone Height    2 cm Diameter    9 cm Peduncle length  2.5 cm Peduncle color Green 139B Peduncle diameter    2 mm Peduncle texture Pubescent Number per branch Approx. 6 inflorescences Shelf life 4 weeks Seeds Produced in small quantities, ovate, Greyed-brown 199A, length 1.5 mm, diameter 0.8 mm Fragrance Faint chrysanthemum odor Color Center of inflorescence (disc Immature stage: Yellow-green 144C florets) Mature stage: Green-yellow 1D Color of upper surface of the White 155D ray-florets Color of the lower surface White 155D of the ray-florets Tonality from Distance A pot mum with large white flowers Color of the ray-florets after White 155D aging of the plant Ray florets Texture Upper and lower side smooth Number 76-80 Shape Elliptic Apex Dentate Base Attenuate Cross-section Flat Longitudinal axis of Twisted majority Length of corolla tube  0.4 cm Ray-floret margin Entire Ray-floret length  3.5-4 cm Ray-floret width    2 cm Ratio length/width Medium Disc florets Disc diameter    3 cm Distribution of disc florets Abundant Shape Funnel Color White 155D at apex, Yellow 9D at base Length  1.2 cm Diameter  0.2 cm Receptacle Color Yellow-green 145D Shape Domed raised Height    5 mm Diameter    6 mm Reproductive Organs Androecium Present on disc florets only Stamen length    3 mm Stamen color Yellow-green 144A Anther color Yellow 3A Pollen Present Pollen Yellow 12A Gynoecium Present on both ray and disc florets Style color Yellow-green 154C Style Length    3 mm Stigma color Yellow 7A Stigma Width    1 mm Ovary Enclosed in calyx Plant Form Upright and free branching Growth rate Medium Height   20 cm Width   30 cm Stem Color Greyed-brown 199A Stem Strength Strong Stem Brittleness Not brittle Stem Anthocyanin Coloration Not observed Internode length    1-2 cm Length of lateral branch From top to bottom 9 cm Lateral branch color Green 137 C Lateral branch diameter  0.3 cm Lateral branch, attachment Strong Branching (average number Prolific with 4 breaks after pinching of lateral branches) Response time 7.5 weeks Foliage Leaf color Upper surface: Green 136A Lower surface: Green 138B Color midvein Upper surface: Yellow-green 147D Lower surface: Yellow-green 148D Size Medium; length 6-8.5 cm, width 3-5 cm Quantity (number per lateral 8-10 branch) Shape Broadly elliptic Texture upper side Sparsely pubescent Texture under side Pubescent Venation arrangement Palmate Shape of the margin Serrated Shape of Base of Sinus Rounded Between Lateral Lobes Margin of Sinus Between Diverging Lateral Lobes Shape of Base Asymmetric Apex Mucronulate Petiole length    1-2 cm Petiole diameter    2 mm Petiole color Yellow-green 147D

TABLE 2 Differences with the comparison variety when grown side-to-side ‘Zanmudenali’ ‘Letitia Time Improved’ Inflorescence type anemone daisy Ray floret color White 155D Green-yellow 1D 

1. A new and distinct chrysanthemum plant named ‘Zanmudenali’ as described and illustrated. 